Lack of organization can hold a store back by 63% of its potential. Is this your store? Now is the time to get organized in the store and improve time management skills.

In the summer months we attend the major trade shows, balance merchandise and make plans for new lines in the fall. We also begin to lay out advertising opportunities for fourth quarter, looking to new and creative ways to bring in customers. Now, let’s also use these months to create some organizational changes in the store and in our personal management style. Here is a list of a few ideas to get you started.

Time Management

Time management is the key to the productivity we see from ourselves and those around us. We all have the same amount of time during the day but the demands on each of us are different. Here is an opportunity to improve on how we manage these demands as well as reap the benefits of time well spent.

Make a list of what you want to accomplish today, this week, this month. Simply divide it into those three sections.

Set priorities to the list (color code if you wish)

Things I need to do

Things I must do for others to be successful (such as having a staff meeting to share your vision and give direction to your staff)

Schedule yourself a time each day when you can work without interruption.

It is OK to have this time for yourself as long as you ensure that your customers are being served by others.

Consider yourself and what time of the day you are at your best. Is it first thing in the morning, right after lunch, or once the store is closed and you can prep for the next day?

Ask your associates to help you have this time without interruption to accomplish your goals and organize objectives for the rest of the team.

Forced focus goal

Determine to complete one task each week that you have been avoiding. Could you accomplish it if you delegated a portion or made it a group project that simply needs your leadership?

Avoid Procrastination
Procrastination is defined as:
1: the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time 2: slowness as a consequence of not getting around to it
Effective retail businesses can’t allow for procrastination as a routine. Many areas of the business are time sensitive such as; styles of merchandise, advertising, and changes in customer information. For example putting off building an ad may seem trivial in the big picture as long as it gets done. However, consider how much more effective that advertising could be if prepared in advance and given the time needed to review and really get it right.

Business procrastination = missed opportunities.

How to beat procrastination

Make a daily “to do” List

Delegate

Divide big jobs into several small ones

Set realistic deadlines and hold yourself to them

Revel in your accomplishments

You have no doubt been making mental notes as you read through this article as to projects you are ready to take on. So go ahead … make it personal!

Worksheet

Top 5 things I need to do today
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Top 3 things I need to do this week
1.
2.
3.

I can work uninterrupted _______ - _________ each day.
My forced focus project for the week is ________________.

Did you remember areas like prepping for the trade shows, physically organizing an area of the store that needs attention, working your customer list for missed information, cleaning your desk or the credenza behind you?

Present these ideas to your staff at your next staff meeting. Encourage them to take on the challenge as well and share their results at your next meeting.

You can out pace your competition and grow your market share. But the key is being organized in every aspect of your business. Now is the time.